Water

Federal officials moved to cancel commercial and recreational salmon fishing off California as the fish still aren't thriving.

The nationwide cost to treat or replace contaminated drinking water is estimated at $1.5 billion a year. The ubiquitous chemicals, linked to cancer and other diseases, build up in people and the environment.

California farms could use 93% less water but less-thirsty crops, such as grains and hay, are much less lucrative than nuts and fruits. Fallowing a small fraction of the thirstiest crops would save 9%.

The revised proposal grants water providers an extra five years for reducing outdoor irrigation. Cities and water agencies are relieved, while critics say Californians will keep wasting water.

Chinook counts are less dire than last year, but fishery managers are still opting to heavily reduce or ban commercial and recreational fishing this year because “caution is warranted.” The salmon industry is devastated.

California, Arizona and Nevada would cut their allocations about 20% when reservoir levels drop. But other states have their own opposing plan. Now the federal government has to decide how to manage the drought-plagued river.

Large numbers of young Chinook salmon were found dead two days after being released from a state hatchery. Biologists say they were shocked by the die-off — but it was a predictable aftermath of human efforts to restore nature.

Researchers say if California could collect and treat more stormwater in cities, it could provide enough water to supply a quarter of the state’s urban population.

The state’s environmental tool skews which communities are designated as disadvantaged, researchers say. Some immigrant neighborhoods could be left out, while other groups are overrepresented.

State officials said a Humboldt County cannabis operation took water from streams and damaged wetlands for years without authorization. The owner called the fine extreme and unfair but agreed to pay and restore wetlands.